Mal's St. Paddy's Parade: The fun starts today with these events

TODAY

» 5 p.m. Third annual Marching MalFunctions Second Line Stomp & Street Dance meets at King Edward Hotel, free; show up in a costume and join the party march

» 6:30 p.m. Led by Southern Komfort Brass Band, group (foot only, no motorized entries) marches from King Edward Hotel to Hal & Mal's, with sheriff's department escort; route will detour to Pascagoula Street because of Capitol Street construction

» 7 p.m. Music at Hal & Mal's includes the Rumprollers, Cardinal Son and Hunter Gibson (on the patio) as well as Southern Komfort Brass Band, free; you can also contribute to a Batson Children's Hospital Toy Drive sponsored by the Green Ladies, see guidelines at childrenshospital.umc.edu, or cash works, too.

Saturday

» 7 a.m. Parade lineup

» 8 a.m. Mal's St. Paddy's Run at the Jackson Convention Complex - No Fun Run, no race day registration; late registration, $30, available at Fleet Feet, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday

» 1 p.m. Mal's St. Paddy's Parade starts, proceeding from Court at State streets, along State to Capitol Street, to Lamar Street and back to Court Street; gate opens at Hal & Mal's for Street Festival ($20 ticket to Alabama Shakes concert required, www.ticketmaster.com or coliseum box office), single entrance on Commerce Street